You’ve clicked on this for a reason, and unless it was on accident, I’m assuming SOMETHING in your life isn’t keeping you happy.  Whether that’s a job, a relationship, a friendship, or even your overall lifestyle choices…

Nothing makes us happy ALL the time, but if it’s a part of your life it should definitely make you happy more than it does not.   It should make you happy MOST of the time.  If you find yourself constantly saying “I want to quit”, “I want to break up”, “I should stop doing this”, “I wish I was doing this instead”, etc. etc. THEN DO IT.  You only have one life, one chance, and it will be over before you know it.  Life goes by so fast and NOBODY IS IN CHARGE OF YOUR HAPPINESS EXCEPT FOR YOU.  If the change is scary, GOOD.  With change comes strength, and with strength comes you making choices that are best for YOU.  

This past year I finally jumped the deep end and ended something that had been a part of my life for almost 5 years.  5 YEARS of my life that I can not get back.  5 years that I often cried, felt stressed out, felt mad, and was so unhappy, but I didn’t make a change simply because I didn’t know what would happen if I did.  What a silly reason.  The unknown.  Yeah, the unknown is intimidating, but it’s also what keeps life interesting and worth living for.  And because the future is so unknown, LIVE FOR YOURSELF. Put yourself and your true happiness before any job you don’t like, person who doesn’t treat you right, substance you shouldn’t be putting in your body, friend who isn’t influencing you in the right ways, people who bring you down, ANYTHING. (I’m not saying always put yourself first, of course if your issue is a relationship, those are often equal give and take ;)).  But, nothing will change for the better if you don’t change something to begin with.  You will remain wishing, hoping, wondering, and dreaming.  Instead you could be acting, doing, living, smiling, and reaching the life that you truly want to have.  Sit down alone without anyone else around and think about what makes YOU happy on the inside.  How you expect to be treated, what job you would have if you could have any job in the world, the health you wish to feel, the relationship that would make you happy until your time on this earth has ended.  If you want to be single, be single.  If you want to be sober, be sober.  If you want to see the world, see the world. If you want an office job, have an office job.  If you want to eat chicken nuggets on the moon, GO FOR IT.  But STOP the things that don’t make you happy.  

When you’ve realized what makes you happy, START YOUR JOURNEY.  Don’t let anyone stand in your way.  If they do, walk away from them.  Don’t be afraid of it being hard in the beginning.  If you put enough effort into something, you CAN obtain anything you desire.  That’s what I’ve heard and so that’s what I’m going to do.  I personally am only in the very beginning of where I’m headed and I feel happier already.  You can too. If it were easy, there would be no such thing as sadness and challenges. If it’s challenging, GOOD.  That means you’re learning and getting stronger. Happiness comes from within. From within you alone.  Start. Start now. Take that first step away from the things, jobs or people you KNOW are making you miserable.  Take that first step toward the things, jobs, or people you know WILL make you happy.  That first step walking away is also the first step toward something better. Don’t look back.  Look forward.  It’s your life.  It’s not too late.  You’re not too old. You’re not too poor. People will get over it. You’re smart enough. You’re strong enough.  You’re capable enough. If others can do it, if others can have it, so can you.  Start now. 

Live it. Do it. Make it. Make it yours.

-Kelly